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The Caring Network Care for Carers Report from the CN on DEACSA Weekend Retreats
The Caring Network Care for Carers Report from the CN on DEACSA Weekend Retreats | Report from the CN on DEACSA Weekend Retreats |
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| Written by Administrator | |
| Thursday, 26 June 2008 | |
 Retreats The caring Network has contracted DEACSA to provide three retreats to 60 carers, paid for from our own funds from Catholic funders concerned to support the carers in the taxing work they do, often in very dire circumstances. Funders wish to support and reward cares for their care of the sick, destitute and dying. Previous experience with DEACSA three day death, dying and bereavement program over many years made us sure that sending our carers away with Jim Thorne would be conducive to their emotional and spiritual well-being. Having organized our own retreats at Vomoed at Hermanus and Goedgedacht at Malmesbury in the past, we knew what carers wanted: a mix of relevant inputs, in a relaxing environment, interspersed with activities to refresh their spirits. They did not want a two day talk shop at all. While we had participated in the Grail program at Kleinmond long ago we had withdrawn from this as they were not able to accommodate the large number of people in our organization, which combined with EPWP learners, relief carers and those not studying but in service, totaled 170 persons last year. Our current allocation from DOH is for 127 carers in this financial year. While we were able to raise funds in the past for weekend retreats, we are quite unable to raise enough funds to meet the need for all our carers to partake in this valuable exercise. We are grateful to CTCH and DOH for the opportunity to send 66 carers of CN to 4 Retreats in the past 6 months. At a staff meeting on Friday 28 march a general discussion took place with all coordinators of 5 projects and the Program Manager, Nozipho Matyeni, evaluating the feedback from carers. There was unanimity that each and every carer thoroughly benefited from and enjoyed the retreats. They were full of reports on the many varied activities that took place and all appreciated the balance between in and outdoor team activities, personal recollections, counseling support, evening movies, lovely surroundings and good food. There were no complaints raised about anything!! In itself this is a great success as we have had complaints about menus and food in the past! Nothing negative was mentioned by 66 Carers who have completed the current format retreat in the past?? Months! Consenus was that they were “fun”, “challenging”, “provided coping skills”. They all particularly remarked on the candle lighting ceremony, of how this renewed their own sense of loss of family and friends, but noted how Jim helped them through the process. They enjoyed the physical exercise, which many were not used to! The Khayelitsha coordinator, Xoliswa Mtiwetafa particularly noted that what impressed her was that Jim allowed people to ventilate, explained the psychological processes involved in debriefing and unloading pain and loss, so that they could return refreshed to their caring activities. Nozipho’s summing up was that carers are afforded a welcome opportunity to distress. Caring network is unanimous in supporting DEACSA and sincerely hopes that CTCH will continue to underwrite these valuable breaks away. Rosemary Smuts 3 Aproil 2008 |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 01 October 2008 ) |
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